Author William Kitcher offers a very short tale with the title ‘The Olympic Diver’. Suitable for all ages.

The Olympic Diver

Rose strode to the edge of the ten-meter platform and prepared for her final dive, a forward three and one half somersault in the pike position. A great score would give her the gold medal, a good score would give her the silver or bronze.

She looked down at the water, then raised her head and looked at the Olympic logo opposite. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment.

She was taken back in time. She was three years old again and standing on the edge of the public swimming pool. She was wearing her blue bathing suit, and had yellow water wings on her upper arms. She looked at her father in the pool, his arms outstretched, a huge smile on his face. “Come on, Rose. You can do it. Come on, honey.”

Rose put her arms out, launched herself into space, and did a belly flop into the pool.

Her father didn’t catch her. The judges awarded her no points.

William Kitcher

Bill’s stories, plays, and comedy sketches have been published, produced, and/or broadcast in Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Czechia, England, Germany, Guernsey, Holland, India, Ireland, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, the U.S., and Wales. His stories have appeared in The Prague Review, Fiery Scribe Review, Ariel Chart, New Contrast, Spinozablue, Granfalloon, Eunoia Review, Defenestration, Yellow Mama, and many other journals. His comic noir novel, “Farewell And Goodbye, My Maltese Sleep”, the second funniest novel ever written, was published in October 2023 by Close To The Bone Publishing, and is available on Amazon.